Statement from Attorney General Terry Goddard in response to Today's Court of Appeals Ruling

Statement from Attorney General Terry Goddard in response to today's Court of Appeals ruling:

The Attorney General's money laundering and racketeering investigations in connection with human smuggling in Arizona have ventured into new legal territory. I appreciate the guidance the Court of Appeals has provided on how subpoenas should be issued. This office will now follow the guidelines outlined by the court for our next subpoenas and renew our enforcement efforts in Mexico.

I am pleased that the court has recognized that racketeering and money laundering are going on in northern Sonora and that the Attorney General has the legal authority to subpoena data from Western Union to investigate that activity.

Although this ruling will delay our investigations somewhat, it clears the way for us to move forward to combat smuggling organizations in Arizona.